Petzl Leopard Flexlock - attaching to approach shoe.

This video shows a way to get a secure fit on your approach shoes with the Leopard Flexlock.

[@5ambird]

That works pretty good! Seems quite safe especially for the weight of shoes+crampons. Thanks for that! 💪🏻👍🏻

[@JustinLeafweaver]

I have tried this method on a anatom q3 ankle high hiking boots which doesn’t have a full shank. I find the back of the front toe piece tend to move side to side even if I tighten it real hard.

[@OnwardUPCampus]

Hmmm, what size foot do you have? If you have a smaller foot maybe try taking up some slack in the cord by looping through a couple of the notches.... Feel free to send a photo of the set up and we can review it to see if anything stands out.

[@samcantrell3209]

Why do you completely free the cord instead of leaving it tight before you weave the strap through it?

[@OnwardUPCampus]

Hey Sam. When you loosen the cord completely it will extend laterally and medially on both sides of the shoe which helps center and support the crampon on the shoe. This is only needed when putting the crampon on a soft, low-top shoe. I have quite large feet (size 12) and the cord only comes up a little bit on each side of the shoe. If you had a smaller foot then maybe you would still want to shorter the cord a bit. I hope this makes sense.

[@olegx.8173]

Is it possible to combine rear welt rear binding with soft fron binding on these crampons like on Petzl Irvis Lever Lock Hybrid? Is the strap long enough?

[@OnwardUPCampus]

Yes, you can have a soft front and lever in the back. It is key to make sure you have the string as tight as possible to ensure that it doesn't loosen too much after you install it on the boot.

[@FrodeFlodhest]

Can you use these with randoboots as well?

[@OnwardUPCampus]

Yes. You can also use the version that comes with a wire on the toe and lever on the heal. The nice thing is that whatever model you buy (wire lever or flex lock) initially, you can buy the other heal and toe parts to make compatible with other types of footwear. Thanks.

[@avshinkampf]

That's cool, but how does it perform in the field??

[@OnwardUPCampus]

Short answer they get the job done and for a lightweight set up are as good as it gets. Heavier boots and crampons will perform better walking or climbing on hard ice. The Leopard is meant only for snow and feel pretty sketchy on ice.... and aren't meant for it. With the way Jason describes putting these on a low cut shoe, a climber will be well set up to ascend snowy approaches to rock climbs or perhaps finish off a scramble that is otherwise a hike but has frozen snow on top. I think the ultiomate use for this crampon on shoes would be a place like the Bugaboos or Sierra's. Basically an approach crampon to technical rock climbs. I also use this one on proper mountain boots as long as I know I am not climbing any ice or mixed. The weight and portability can't be beat but they are super specialized and need to be both adjusted properly and the user needs to be conscious of what they are using them for. Hope this helps. Rob O

[@avshinkampf]

@@OnwardUPCampus Thanks. I just used some borrowed g10's on some approach shoes and found the back/heel basket kept digging into my ankle on uneven terrain, which is most of terrain.

[@avshinkampf]

I'll also add I did use your trick to loop through under the foot one more time before cinching it down